The United States on Thursday designated Brazil's Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) as Specially Designated Global Terrorists and said it intends to formally classify both groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations effective June 5, expanding Washington's campaign against transnational criminal groups in Latin America.
In a statement, the U.S. State Department described the PCC and CV as "two of the most violent criminal organizations in Brazil," saying they command "thousands of members" and have carried out attacks against police officers, public officials and civilians. The department said both groups operate beyond Brazil's borders and are involved in illicit networks reaching into the United States.
